Tag: light heavyweight champion

PRESS RELEASE: October 12, 2011

Amarillo, TX – Shark Fight Promotions announced two title fights for the main and co-main events at Shark Fights 21 on November 11 in Lubbock, Texas. WWE superstar Bobby Lashley (6-1) returns to action to fight for the Shark Fights Heavyweight title against Ultimate Fighter standout Darrill Schoonover (11-5). The co-main event features submission machine Tony Bonello (16-1-1) against UFC veteran David Roberts (5-8) for the Light Heavyweight Championship. Bonello has won 14 of his 16 victories by way of submission. Shark Fights executive Wes Nolen states, “This is going to be a huge night of fights. We wanted to end the year strong with two championship fights in one night. Shark Fights is excited to be going back to Lubbock, Texas. The fans in Lubbock have always been supportive of Shark Fights and we want to put on the biggest show possible for them.”

There have only been a handful of fighters that have garnered more publicity and higher expectations entering MMA than Bobby Lashley. With a chiseled 6’3 – 265lb physique and two national wrestling titles, Lashley was touted as being the most dominate heavyweight to step into the cage since Brock Lesnar (5-2). Lashley currently trains in Irvine, California with former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett (30-5). “I’m a new fighter now and I want to show people something different than what they expect of me,” Lashley said. “I’m not going to just take my opponents down and ground and pound them. I’m going for the submission or maybe I will stand up and knock them out.” Lashley is set to debut a whole new set of skills as he renews his run at a title against current Shark Fights Heavyweight Champion Darrill Schoonover. Schoonover was 10-0 at the time of winning the Shark Fights title and wants to prove that Lashley is all hype. Both Lashley and Schoonover are coming off big victories and are ready to take the next step in becoming the Shark Fights Heavyweight Champion.

Shark Fights 21 will take place on Friday, November 11, 2011 at The Fair Park Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas and will be broadcast via tape delay on FUEL TV beginning December 23, 2011. Doors Open at 6:00pm CST. Fights start at 7pm CST. Tickets for Shark Fights 21 are on sale now at www.selectaseatlubbock.com. Tickets are priced at $20, $30, $40, $55, $65, $75, and $100. For more information, or current Shark Fights news, please visit www.sharkfights.com or www.facebook.com/sharkfights. Fight card subject to change.

About Shark Fight Promotions:
Texas based Shark Fight Promotions, founded in 2007, is an integrated entertainment and media company in the combat sports industry, committed to producing high quality fight events and effectively showcasing elite MMA talent. The company is engaged in the production, promotion, presentation and marketing of premier professional mixed martial arts fighting competitions. As an integrated entertainment and media company, Shark Fight Promotions is organized around three principal business activities: Live Event Promotions, Broadcast Television and Digital Media Production and Distribution, Sponsorship and Brand Licensing. As Mixed Martial Arts continues its dominance as the fastest growing sport in the world, Shark Fights is poised to become one of the top fight promotions in the industry.
Shark Fight Promotions can be followed via Facebook at facebook.com/SharkFights and via Twitter at twitter.com/SharkFights.

About FUEL TV
FUEL TV is the only cable and satellite television network that features the exciting world of adrenaline and thrill-seeking sports and the stories that surround them. This new generation of sports provides a rich landscape of some of the most vibrant and action-packed television entertainment in the world. See why young adrenaline sports fans call FUEL TV the channel they never turn off. FUEL TV, part of FOX Sports Media Group, was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in more than 30 million U.S. homes and can be accessed by broadband, mobile devices and other digital platforms such as iTunes®. FUEL TV programming is available in more than 50 countries around the world with 24/7 channels operating in Australia and Europe. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.

PRESS RELEASE: October, 10 2011

Houston, TX — At UFC 136, middleweight Mike Massenzio made his Team Palooka debut with a gutsy, come-from-behind victory against former WEC Light Heavyweight Champion Steve Cantwell. The win represented what Team Palooka is all about: heart, determination, and a “never say die” attitude. The Massenzio-Cantwell bout kicked off the night, and definitely got the crowd going. Both fighters headed into the bout desperately needing a big win in order to keep their position with the UFC, and the New Jersey-based Massenzio came away with the “W.”

“Winning this fight, it’s a great feeling…one of the greatest feelings of my life,” says Massenzio. “I’ve been through a lot over the last few years, and I’ve been through a lot in my career already. After a fast start, I got hit with some major injuries. I came back against Brian Stann, which was a very tough first fight, and we got ‘Fight of the Night.’ The Soszynski fight was tough, too. Against Cantwell, I took a little bit from him in the first round, then he caught me good, and I had to deal with that. But I was able to hang with it, and I came back. It was a great experience.”

While waiting for his next bout, the 185-pounder will continue to train with his team at AMA Fight Club in New Jersey. As far as who is next on his list, Massenzio is leaving that in the capable hands of the organization.

“I’ll fight whoever the UFC gets me. I feel good about being able to be in there with some of the best and hang. To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best. So whatever they decide to do, I’ll go with it. I’m all about heart, and I’m always going to go out there and fight with everything I’ve got, every fight.”

While we don’t know who Massenzio will face next in the Octagon, we do know what is next for him outside the cage. This Thursday, 10/13 and Sunday, 10/16, Mike will be appearing at the Team Palooka booth (#349) at the New York Comic Con. He’ll be there in order to sign autographs, interact with the fans, and promote the new “Joe Palooka” comics being released!

“It’s an honor that Team Palooka wants to have me as part of what they’re doing. It’s great that they have interest in my career. I’m hoping that as they rise, I rise at the same time. And I’m really looking forward to being with the fans at Comic-Con. Come on out and come say hi…it’s going to be awesome!”

The news MMA comic book fans have been waiting for was recently announced: the comic series made its world premiere with its first issue last week when “Joe Palooka” issues #1 & #2 became available for purchase for the first time anywhere. Fans can get their hands on the comic at http://www.Palooka.com/, and hard copies of the issue will follow in early 2012.

A special 13-page FREE-VIEW is also available simply for signing up with an email address on http://www.Palooka.com/, and fans can also take advantage of a unique offer on “Joe Palooka” issues #1 and #2, which are available together for the low price of only $1.99.

The “Joe Palooka” comic series tells the story of Joe Palooka, an MMA fighter who competes in “Legion of Combat,” which is a sister comic publication. “Legion of Combat” will feature Joe Palooka and top MMA stars including “Suga” Rashad Evans, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, the Blackzilians, Brendan Schaub, and the Miller brothers in team matches between fighters representing countries such as the U.S., the U.K., Brazil, Russia, Japan, China, and other nations.

“Joe Palooka” and “Legion of Combat” are MMA comic books that feature action adventure stories as well as compelling MMA fight action. Created by professional ring announcer Joe Antonacci, the books are being written and drawn by an all-star team of talent known as Team Palooka. The team includes Mike Bullock as the chief writer and Fernando Perniche (both of “The Phantom fame”), who are bringing the exciting stories of Palooka and the LOC to life.

For more information on “Joe Palooka” and “Legion of Combat,” please visit http://www.palooka.com/.

You can also “like” the Palooka Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/TeamPalooka